By the Ellsworth American Legion Post 174
ELLSWORTH, Kan. — The 4th annual outdoor festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 4th, 2024, with events kicking off at 7 a.m. Gates opening for the day at 10 a.m.
So, what is Legionfest? Put simply, it’s a yearly, free Community THANK YOU festival, to the people of Ellsworth and the surrounding communities, for all the support and love they’ve shown the Legion this past year.
As always, there’s NO cover charge to attend Legionfest. with a little bit of everything – this year includes starting the morning off with the 5K Color Run and Legionfest Breakfast [free will donation], from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m., inside the Legion. Food vendors start at 10 a.m., with Gates opening. The kids’ games, Bouncy Houses, Face-painter & Balloon Twister, Tara Grey Johnson and the return of our State Sanctioned competition Kids Petal Tractor Pull featuring the crew from M&C Pedal Power. [top 3 winners of each age group, go on to pull at the 2024 Kansas State Fair]
The annual Craft Fair Village, with MANY craft vendors from all over Kansas and even MO, is always a favorite. 2024 will bring a BIGGER “Throwing Thunder Cornhole Tournament”, hosted by Baggin 4 Veterans Cornhole and our first ever, sanctioned, Kansas Log Lift Championship & Strongman Competition, hosted by Ellsworth Strength Center. The Max Log event will be for both a National & State Record. The largest Log press overall in both the men’s and women’s divisions will receive an award.
Live music will fill the evening air and our beer garden, while you eat at the old-fashioned Roast Hog BBQ, sponsored by Homeier Farms. This year is bringing back the multiple bands format which will start earlier and end earlier.
Officers from the American Legion, Department of Kansas, Kansas 6th District and Ellsworth’s own Post 174 Officers, as well as representatives from the Kansas Honor Flight and Quilts of Valor will be in attendance.
The US Army Recruiting Team will once again bring their Trailer back to town. There is something for the whole family! And more are signing on all the time. A good bonus, all cans collected during the event will go to the American Legion Riders Chapter 174, where the cans will be sold and 100% of the proceeds will be given to Kansas Honor Flight.
ALSO… To celebrate Legionfest & the International Star Wars Day- We’re PROUD to announce cosplay members from the 501st Legion, 70th Explorers Garrison [KS & MO], Great Plains Squad [Wichita, KS area], will be in attendance for a few hours, meeting fans and rounding up Rebel Scum for the Empire. This is a pretty big deal, getting them to come up. Times will be announced at a later date. …” The 501st Legion is an international costuming organization dedicated to celebrating STAR WARS™ through the creation and use of quality costumes that portray the villainous, morally ambiguous, or non-partisan characters from the STAR WARS™ universe. The Legion promotes interest in STAR WARS and facilitates the use of these costumes for STAR WARS-related events as well as contributes to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work…”
More events are being planned and added weekly. Check the Facebook page often.
https://www.facebook.com/EWLegionfest
Festivities are held on the Parade Field, North of the Legion Facility. It will be a day to remember and look forward to! The Ellsworth American Legion Post 174’s mission is to create an event that the communities of Ellsworth County and surrounding counties can enjoy and benefit from.
